Pumpkins are the epitome of autumn, and visiting a pumpkin patch is a must-do activity in St. Louis this season.
These local pumpkin patches have more than just gourds, though. Bring a date, friends or the whole family for a special day of massive corn mazes, bouncy wagon rides and festive local foods.
Brookdale Farms
Slip into your coziest fall sweater and make your way to Brookdale Farms, where the pumpkins come in shapes and sizes for small hands and jack-o’-lanterns. Nestled among the rolling hills of Eureka, the sprawling farm offers more than just a pumpkin patch. Navigate the largest corn maze in St. Louis, take a wagon ride through the radiant landscape and enjoy petting zoos, lawn games and more. After dark, Chinese lanterns illuminate the farm as part of the new Autumn Glow Festival. Blending history and folklore, artistry and creativity, the glowing displays add a touch of magic to fall evenings.
Eckert’s
At Eckert’s, you can almost taste the history. Eckert’s Orchards took root in 1837, and today, there are three farms just across the river in Southern Illinois. At each location, pumpkins are ripe for the picking, whether you’re looking for a gourd to carve or eat. Eckert’s also sells homegrown display pumpkins and scrumptious pie pumpkins. Want to cut the patch and keep the pie? Eckert’s Country Store bakes homestyle pies as good as grandma’s. Beyond pumpkin, you can indulge in peach, strawberry-rhubarb, caramel-apple-walnut and coconut meringue, to name a few flavors.
Downtown Kirkwood
In October, the Kirkwood Farmers’ Market transforms into The Great Pumpkin Patch, boasting more than 20 varieties of pumpkins. Orange you excited? You’ll also find cornstalks, kale, mums and pansies to add to your seasonal décor. Quench your thirst with fresh-pressed cider, and let the kids play in the Fall Fun Zone until they’re properly worn out. The fun doesn’t stop there – Kirkwood invites visitors to explore the trails in the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, take a tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright House at Ebsworth Park, see a performance at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center and discover the wonders of The Magic House.
Stuckmeyer’s Farm
Stuckmeyer’s Farm, a fourth-generation family farm in Fenton, hosts Halloween Farm Fun Days all October long. Expect hayrides, farm animals, a spooky fort and pumpkins galore. Children and adults alike can also clamber through the inflatable farm train, which should get a few laughs. When hunger strikes, dig into seasonal snacks such as kettle corn, hot dogs and caramel apples. For a thrilling twist on fall festivities, drive 10 miles down Highway 21 to Adventure Valley, where 10 zip lines propel daredevils through a beautiful wooded ridge.
Eagle Fork Farms
Worth the 50-minute drive from St. Louis, Eagle Fork Farms offers picture-perfect pumpkins in a lush setting. Owners Laura and Charlie Meyer have been growing pumpkins since 1989, but they’ve come a long way from simply selling them from their driveway. Today, Eagle Fork Farms is a go-to destination, featuring a pumpkin patch alongside an eight-acre corn maze, pony rides and a barrel train ride. Visitors can also mine for 20 types of precious and semi-precious stones, get their faces painted, pedal karts down a racetrack and shoot apples or tennis balls out of a cannon.
Pumpkin patches shouldn’t be the only thing on your St. Louis hit list this season. For more ideas, from urban adventures to local festivals to outdoor activities, check out our roundup of fall fun in St. Louis.
